The Third Order Intercept concept is a theoretical point that is projected
as the intercept of the third order products from two equal level tones
(slope = 3:1) and the fundamental of the tones (slope = 1:1) as the total
level of the tones is varied. It has little to do with sensitivity.
The sensitivity is usually expressed as "Spurious Free dynamic Range", the
signal level range from the minimum detectible carrier level to the level
where the IM products just appear above the noise floor.
The above is in general terms, there are industry established standards for
measurement of these parameters, but the details escape me at the moment.
Bob, W5LT
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony [mailto:dxdx@optonline.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 7:18 PM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Third Order Intercept
Greetings all:
Have a question about third order intercept point. I understand the
measurement takes sensitivity into account at the point were IMD products
start to show at the noise floor; the greater the sensitivity is before
distortion shows up the better.
If that's the case, then a good TOI figure alone doesn't tell the whole
story. If the sensitivity isn't in the useable range for most HF work (-110
~ 130dbm or so) then the receiver will have good IMD rejection, but would be
somewhat deaf compared to one with greater sensitivity.
It would be similar to adding attenuation to improve the TOI by making the
rig less sensitive; a 10db attenuator might cause the TOI improve by 10db.
Would this be an accurate interpretation of the TOI measurement?
Tony KT2Q
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